Surfing on Cloud 9!

From the Sohoton Cove, we rode a boat heading back to Socorro Port. We were rushing to catch the boat heading to Siargao that according to our guide will depart around 11 in the morning. This mid-sized boat is the routine boat that carries passengers from Socorro to Siargao. We arrived 12 Noon, so we were not able to catch the boat. According to the people at the port normally there is a second boat that leaves in the afternoon, but it was feast day in Socorro so the afternoon boat was suspended. We have two options – either to wait for the next day or rent a fisherman’s boat to ferry us to Siargao. The first option is not feasible as we already have our itinerary set. So we settled for the second option. We were able to find a kind fisherman to ferry us to Siargao, for P 2,000. The boat left Socorro around 3 PM.

Goodbye Socorro.

The travel time from Socorro Port to Dapa Port in Siargao is about 2 hours using our small boat.  Waves are high, we are nearly in an open sea. We arrived at Dapa Port around 5 PM, and we hired a habal habal (motor vehicle) to take us to General Luna, where our hostel is located. Cloud 9 is located in General Luna. The travel time is quite long, probably around an hour. It was already dark when we arrived so we had to defer surfing by the next day.

Heavy Bags + Heavy People = Heavy Habal Habal

Our Place in Siargao

Around 10 AM the next day, we went to the Cloud 9 surfing spot. Based on what I know the term ‘Cloud 9’ means extreme happiness, or over euphoric feeling. Cloud 9 is just located in front of where we stay, so it was just a very quick setup for us.

Calm waves at the Shore

We hired an instructor to guide us. It was P500 per person per hour and the cost already includes the rent of the surf board. 

On Land Tutorial before meeting the waves

This is not my first time surfing, I tried surfing before in La Union, a province north of Manila. I failed during my attempt there, so I concluded that maybe surfing is not really for me. But I am on Siargao, so there’s no point in not trying again. Siargao is world famous for surfing, and we indeed saw a lot of foreigners surfing there.

The surfing spot is about 500 meters from the shore. It was good thing that we hired an instructor, since aside from guidance, somebody can pull us from the shore to the spot. Talk about a lazy banana.

Being Pulled by Our Guide.

I was very happy that this time, I was able to stand and balance myself against the board. The waves that we tried are for beginners, but it is definitely an achievement for me. 

I felt the euphoria of finally being able to complete a surf. I was very satisfied with the result. Cloud 9 deserves its name. 

Surfing. Standing on the surfboard on top of the waves.

A closer picture.

At the end of the session, everyone was able to complete a surf. Thumbs up to our instructors who are very patient in teaching us. And also Thumbs up to us!

Success!

After surfing, it’s lunch time! We requested the restaurant to send our food along the shore. While waiting for the food, I’ve decided to go under the sun. I love it.

While waiting for food.

The food was served and it was very good having lunch near the sea. 

Kaon ta!

After lunch with nothing else to do, we’ve decided to play cards to kill time and wait for sunset.

Playing Cards.

Before the day ended, we went to the larger marketplace in Siargao for dinner.  Near the market, there is a small fishermen port. From there you can see one of the best sunsets in the world.

Siargao Sunset. One of the World's Bests.

Smiles brighter than the sun.

Will I ever do it again? Of course yes! The idyllic feel of the place plus the adrenalin of surfing is great for me. Food is relatively cheap, and the island is quite dark at night, a luxury for people who live in the city (who are perpetually plagued by light pollution). This place reminds me of Camiguin, with the plus of having a surfing spot. As of this writing there are no direct flights yet from Manila to Siargao, you have go to Cebu first for a quick stopover. Well even if there are no direct flights yet, I will be back, not in the far future, but sometime soon.

Photos Courtesy of Tope Saquillo and Derek Vivares